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King Jezal rides through the city to the outer city walls, with Bayaz and Varuz at his side. The Gurkish are now halfway to encircling the city and the King must see it for himself. Near the wall is gathered a group of ragged armed civilians, interspersed with some of the King’s Own; the defenders of this borough. As all eyes turn to him, Jezal sweeps his cape out, trying to live up to the idea of the High King of the Union.

Atop the wall, the King sees what they’re up against, Gurkish troops swarmed in their thousands, and in the distance are three great catapults. A small group move away from the main body, carrying a flag of parley. Among the negotiators is General Malzagurt, the man Varuz defeated in the last Gurkish war. And next to him is Mamun, first apprentice to Khalul.1 After Bayaz and Mamun quarrel about their century long conflict, Malzagurt delivers terms; surrender Adua to the Emperor and turn over Bayaz, and Jezal can retain the crown and his citizens will be free to live in relative freedom. They are generous terms, and the King takes a moment to consider the request, before rejecting them outright. He hates Bayaz, but better the devil you know.

Sending the Gurkish scurrying back to their lines, he turns and addresses his own people in a speach filled with never surrender, never relent, never compromise, fight to the last. During the speech, which he stumbles over from time to time, Glokta sends Practicals into the crowd to suppress any dissenters. By the end, the crowd is cheering. Jezal has the support of his people.

However, the cheering sputters out as the Gurkish launch the first mighty fireball into the midst of Adua.